The Philadelphia Phillies have a lot of work to do as the MLB trade deadline quickly approaches. They need to address the bottom of their rotation, the backend of the bullpen, and their lineup. Here’s a look at the three best trades they could pull off to have a successful trade deadline.
Zach Neto has apparently become a target for the Phillies over the past week. This scenario would likely move Trea Turner to second base, Bryson Stott to third base, and Alec Bohm traded for a starting pitcher.
Neto would fit the Phillies lineup very well. He’s a right-handed hitter with some serious pop. He’s hit 19 home runs this season. He had a career-high 26 homers last year. Neto is still just 25 years old and is a controllable piece for the foreseeable future. He wouldn’t help the swing-and-miss concerns in the Phillies lineup; he’s second in the MLB (behind Kyle Schwarber) in strikeouts.
The Toronto Blue Jays seem like the most obvious trade partner for the Phillies at this year’s trade deadline. They have a veteran available at every position of need for Philadelphia. This trade lands them Jeff Hoffman and Daulton Varsho.
Hoffman would slot into a seventh-inning role, a step down from his responsibilities during his first stint in Philly. He hasn’t been very good this season, so the Phillies would be taking a gamble on being able to get him back to the way he pitched in Philadelphia. He has a 4.11 ERA this season for Toronto.
Varsho would be a fine addition to the lineup, but he can’t be the only bat added. Pairing him with Neto makes for a really nice deadline in terms of adjustments to the lineup. He has elite defense and would be a good bottom-of-the-order bat.
Luis Castillo becomes a possibility when offering Bohm in a trade. The infield switch up after acquiring Neto would lead to Bohm being traded for a starter, and in this scenario it becomes Castillo.
Castillo is a pitcher who is capable of starting a playoff game for Philadelphia, something they’ve been said to be targeting. He hasn’t been himself, so the Phillies would be buying low in this trade. He currently has a 5.06 ERA.
The Phillies have a lot of work to do in the next few days. They have to address the pitching situation, but more importantly, they need to address the lineup. This is a very important deadline for Dave Dombrowski.
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